Wave suppressing device for swimming pools

ABSTRACT

Wave suppressing device for swimming pools is constructed and arranged to float in pool at periphery thereof. Device comprises continuous ballast member with continuous floatable member surrounding ballast member. Continuous floatable member has volume greater than ballast member and density less than pool water.

[451 Nov. 26, 1974 WAVE SUPPRESSING DEVICE FOR SWIMMING POOLS Inventor: Edward G. Lowe, PO. Box 195 X, Mullica Hill, NJ. 08062 Filed: Sept. 27, 1972 Appl. No.: 292,675

US. Cl 4/172, 61/5, 4/l72.15 Int. Cl E04h 3/16, E04h 3/18 Field of Search 4/172.12, 172.13, 172,

4/l72.14l72.l8, 1; 61/3, 5

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/1911 Wieland 61/3 6/1963 Pearlson 10/1969 Launer 61/5 Primary Examiner-Henry K. Artis Attorney, Agent, or FirmConnolly & Hutz [5 7 ABSTRACT Wave suppressing device for swimming pools is constructed and arranged to float in pool at periphery thereof. Device comprises continuous ballast member with continuous floatable member surrounding ballast member. Continuous floatable member has volume greater than ballast member and density less than pool water.

7 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures WAVE SUPPRESSING DEVICE ron SWIMMING POOLS I BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to 'a device for suppressing waves, and more particularly to a device for suppressing waves and absorbing the shock force thereof in swimming pools.

' Swimming pools including the type installed below grade and those assembled above grade have met with considerable sales appeal. In some instances these pools include side wall structure having specially designed upper coping portions to prevent the pool water from splashing out during use of the pool. However, one significant problem which is not alleviated by such structures involves the nuisance of waves generated by the pool occupants. Pool waves are generated in all types of pools regardless of the pool size. Although these waves are troublesome in large pools they do create a real nuisance in pools of the smaller variety. Often, a wave generated in the middle of the pool will extend to the pool side and then reverse itself back to the center of the pool. Occupants standing or otherwise using the pool are struck by the wave. Most pool users find such an occurrence both troublesome and disturbing. Hence, a device which suppresses pool waves and prevents water splash-out caused by such waves has long been sought by pool manufacturers and pool users.

Also, waves generated during swimming contests and meets adversely affect the speed of the swimmers. In many instances of international competition, pools are designed so that the waves splash out of the pool and do not rebound into the pool interior. However, these designs require elaborate construction including side wall structure which allows the water to spill out in order to suppress the waves.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a wave suppressing device for swimming pools which functions in a highly satisfactory and beneficial manner to suppress waves and absorb the shock force thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for suppressing pool waves which is easy to manufacture and install.

In accordance with the present invention a wave suppressing device for swimming pools is constructed and arranged to float in the pool at the periphery thereof. Essentially, the device comprises a continuous ballast member that serves as a stabilizing element. Also, the deviceincludes a continuous floatable member surrounding the ballast member having a volume greater than the ballast member and a density less than pool water. In use, the present wa've suppressing device is located in the pool at the periphery thereof at water level. The device floats and is thereby critically located regardless of differences in the height of the pool water.

Preferably, the continuous ballast member comprises flexible tubing filled with water while the continuous floatable member comprises flexible tubing filled with a gas, such as air. Connecting structure is provided for the'continuous ballast member and the floatable member. Such structure may include a first conduit with a second conduit surrounding the first. The first conduit has clamps at the opposite ends thereof for connecting the tubing of the continuous ballast member thereto while the second conduit also has clamps at the opposite ends thereof for connecting the tubing of the continuous floatable member thereto. Moreover, filling spouts may be secured to the first and second conduits of the connecting structure for charging the tubing of the ballast and floatable members.

In another embodiment of the present invention the continuous floatable member comprises a plurality of longitudinally oriented solid sections, and connectors secure the solid sections in end-to-end fashion. In one instance the solid sections are foamed polyurethane. Also, each solid section of the continuous floatable member may include a longitudinally disposed internal passageway which is constructed and arranged to receive the flexible tubing of the continuous ballast member. A longitudinal opening may be provided in the bottom of each solid section, the opening communicating with the internal passageway in each solid section to facilitate insertion of the flexible tubing of the ballast member into the passageways of the solid sections.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Novel features and advantages of the present invention in addition to those mentioned above will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts and in which:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view illustrating a swimming pool with a wave suppressing device according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of a connector associated with the wave suppressing device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; 1

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the connector shown in FIG. 3 with portions thereof broken away to show detail and with the connector shown in its at- DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring in more particularity to the drawing, FIG. 1 illustrates a wave suppressing device 10 associated with a swimming pool 12 of the type installed above grade. For the purpose of example, the subject invention is discussed in conjunction with this type of pool it being understood that the invention is equally suitable with pools of the permanent type installed below grade. Generally, the pool 12.includes a continuous structural side wall 14 having an upper peripheral edge portion 16. A water impervious pool liner 18 is supported by the bottom of the pool and the continuous side wall 14. The pool 12 may further include a ladder 20 and filtering equipment (not shown).

As explained more fully below, the wave device functions to suppress waves and absorb the shock force thereof when such waves are generated in the swimming pool by the pool occupants. Basically, the wave suppressing device 10 comprises a continuous ballast member 22 and a continuous floatable member 24 surrounding the ballast member. As shown best in FIG. 2, the continuous floatable member 24 has a volume which is significantly greater than the volume of the ballast member 22. Also, the density of the floatable member 24 is less than the density of the pool water.

In the embodiment 10 shown in FIGS. 1-4, the continuous ballast member 22 comprises a flexible tube 26 fabricated of rubber, neoprene, or thermoplastic materials and the like. The tube 26 is filled with water 28. Other types of ballast member may be used keeping in mind that such other types should have similar stabilizing characteristics. In this regard, the ballast member '22 may be alternatively constructed of a solid material such as neoprene or rubber, for example.

The continuous floatable member 24 comprises flexible tubing 30 fabricated of material similar to the tubing 26. The flexible tubing 30 is filled with a gas 32, such as air.

As shown best in FIGS. 3 and 4, the wave suppressing device 10 further includes connecting structure 34 for connecting the continuous ballast member 22 and the continuous floatable member 24. The connector 34 comprises a first conduit 36 with a second conduit 38 surrounding the first conduit 36 and secured thereto at 40. The connector 34 and the parts thereof are fabricated of metal and secured together by welding. However, other materials such as thermoplastics are equally suitable. The first conduit 36 has clamps 42 at the opposite ends thereof for releasably attaching the flexible tubing 26 of the continuous ballast member 22. In the regard, the ends of the flexible tubing 26 are simply slipped over the ends of the first conduit 36 and the clamps 42 applied to attach the tubing 26. Clamps 42 are shown as resilient O-rings although other hose clamping structure may be utilized, such as spring clamps, for example. Continuing, the second conduit 38 of the connector 34 has clamps 44 at the opposite ends thereof for releasably attaching the flexible tubing 30 of the continuous floatable member 24. The tubing 30 is attached to the conduit 38 in the same manner as described above in connection with the tubing 26 and conduit 36.

The connector 34 further includes a filling spout 46 which extends into the first conduit 36. A water supply (not shown) is connected to the filling spout 46 at 48 in order to charge the flexible tubing 26 of the continuous ballast member 22 with water. A vent 50 is also associated with the coupling 34, and the vent 5 0 extends into the first conduit 36 for allowing gases in the tubing 26 to escape when a water is charged into that tubing. Further, the connector 34 includes a filling spout 52 which opens into the second conduit 38 for charging the flexible tubing 30 of the continuous floatable member 24 with gas, such as air. In this regard, a pump or other suitable device is connected to the spout 52 at 54 for charging the continuous floatable member 24 with air 32. Sealing caps 56 are provided for closing off the spouts 46, 48 and the vent 50 after the tubes 26, 30 are charged with their respective materials.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate another embodiment of the present invention wherein a wave suppressing device 60 comprises a continuous ballast member 62 and a continuous floatable member 64 surrounding the ballast member 62. As in the case of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 14, the continuous floatable member 64 has a volume greater than the ballast member 62 and a density less than pool water. Essentially, the continuous ballast member 62 is similar to the ballast member 22 of the wave suppressing device 10, and similar reference characters have been used to identify similar parts.

The continuous floatable member 64 of the device 60 comprises a plurality of longitudinally oriented solid sections 66 with connectors 68 securing the solid sections in continuous end-to-end fashion. Each solid section 66 is fabricated from foamed polyurethane material although other equally light materials may be used in constructing the solid sections.

As shown best in FIG. 6, each of the connectors 68 for securing the solid sections 66 in end-to-end fashion includes two section halves 70, 72 hinged at 74 and with catches 76 for releasably securing the section halves 70, 72 together. These section halves conform to the configuration of the solid section 66, and each section half includes inwardly directed anchoring tabs 78 for securing the connector 68 to the solid sections 66 of the continuous floatable member 64.

A connector 68 is positioned between each pair of solid sections 66. Usually, the solid sections 66 may be four to eight feet long with the number of solid sections needed determined by the linear periphery of the pool in which the device is to be located.

One of the connectors 68 carries a T-shaped fixture 80 for coupling the ends of the flexible tubing 26 of the continuous ballast member 62. The T-shaped fixture 80 includes a horizontal leg 82 and a vertical leg 84. The ends of the flexible tubing 26 of the ballast member 62 are connected to the horizontal leg 82 of the fixture 80 by the hose clamps 42. The vertical leg 84 of the fixture 80 functions as a filling spout for charging the ballast member 62 with water 28. A vent 86 is located adjacent the filling spout 84 for venting the flexible tubing 26 when the ballast member is charged with water.

Alternatively, the individual solid sections 66 of the continuous floatable member 64 may be releasably secured together in end-to-end fashion by the connectors 92 shown in FIG. 7. With the exception of one connector 68 that carries the T-shaped fixture 80, connectors 92 may be used throughout for securing the solid sections together. Each of the connectors 92 includes a central flange 94 with pins 96 extending outwardly from each planar surface of the flange. When the solid sections are assembled the pins 96 are simply urged into the solid sections to secure them together.

The wave suppressing device 60 is assembled by positioning a plurality of solid sections 66 in end-to-end fashion. Next, the continuous flexible tubing 26 of the ballast member 62 is inserted into the interior of the solid sections through a longitudinal opening 88 in the bottom of each of the solid sections 66. Each solid section has a longitudinally disposed internal passageway extending therethrough which is constructed and arranged to receive the flexible tubing 26 of the continuous ballast member 62 as the tubing is forced into the opening 88 in each solid section. Continuing, connectors 68 between the ends of adjacent solid sections 66 are snapped closed to anchor the solid sections of the floatable member 64 together. The connector 68 which carries the T-shaped fixture 80 may then be snapped closed 'after the flexible tubing 26 of the ballast member 62 is releasably attached to the horizontal leg 82 of the fixture. After locating the suppressing device 60 in a pool, such as 12, a water supply is connected to the fixture 80 at coupling 48 in order to charge the flexible tubing 26 with water. When the tubing 26 is filled with water, the water supply is disconnected and the device 60 is ready for use.

As noted above, the pin connectors 92 may be substituted for the connectors 68, if desired. Also, the opening 88 in the bottom of each solid section may be eliminated and the tubing 26 simply threaded through the internal passageways 90 of the solid sections.

As explained above, the wave suppressing device of the present invention functions to suppress waves and absorb the shock force thereof. This-is accomplished while preventing the pool water from splashing out over the side walls of the pool. Although the operation of the wave suppressing device of the present invention is not completely understood, the overall device floats in the pool at the periphery thereof and when a wave hits the device the device tends to relocate in the pool. Thus, the energy of the wave is absorbed by the force in reorienting the wave suppressing device. Also, in the device of thepresent invention the air filled tubing 30 operates as a cushion to absorb the force of the wave. Since the device of the present invention floats in the pool, it functions in the intended manner regardless of the water level in the pool.

What is claimed is:

1. A wave suppressing device for swimming pools constructed and arranged to float in the pool at the periphery thereof, the device comprising a continuous ballast member including flexible tubing completely filled with water, and a continuous floatable member surrounding the ballast member having a volume greater than the ballast member and a density less than pool water, the continuous floatable member comprising a plurality of longitudinally oriented solid sections, and connectors securing the solid sections end-to-end, each connector comprising a central flange with pins extending from the opposite sides thereof.

2. A wave suppressing device for swimming pools constructed and arranged to float in the pool at the periphery thereof, the device comprising a continuous ballast member, and a continuous floatable member surrounding the ballast member having a volume greater than the ballast member and a density less than pool water, the continuous floatable member comprising a plurality of longitudinally oriented solid sections, and connectors securing the solid sections end-to-end, and the continuous ballast member comprising flexible tubing filled with water, and each solid section of the continuous floatable member including a longitudinally disposed internal passageway constructed and arranged to receive the flexible tubing of the continuous ballast member, and a longitudinal opening in the bottom of each solid section communicating with the internal passageway therein to facilitate insertion of the flexible tubing of the ballast member into the passageways of the solid sections.

3. A wave suppressing device as in claim 2 in combination with a swimming pool with the wave suppressing device located at the periphery of the pool.

4. A wave suppressing device as in claim 2 wherein the connectors each comprise a central flange with pins extending from the opposite sides thereof.

5. A wave suppressing device for swimming pools constructed and arranged to float in the pool at the periphery thereof, the device comprising a continuous ballast member, and a continuous floatable member surrounding the ballast member having a volume greater than the ballast member and a density less than pool water, the continuous floatable member comprising flexible tubing filled with air and the continuous ballast member comprising flexible tubing filled-with water, and connecting means for the continuous ballast and floatable members having a first conduit with a second conduit surrounding the first, the first conduit having clamping means at the opposite ends thereof for connecting the tubing of the continuous ballast member thereto, and the second conduit having clamping means at the opposite ends thereof for connecting the tubing of the continuous floatable member thereto, and filling spouts secured to the first and second conduits of the connecting means for charging the tubing of the ballast and floatable members.

6. A wave suppressing device as'in claim 5 in combination with a swimming pool with the wave suppressing device located at the periphery of the pool.

7. A wave suppressing device as in claim 5 wherein the continuous floatable and ballast members have circular cross sections, the ballast member having a cross section smaller than the floatable member, and the members engaging one another. 

1. A wave suppressing device for swimming pools constructed and arranged to float in the pool at the pEriphery thereof, the device comprising a continuous ballast member including flexible tubing completely filled with water, and a continuous floatable member surrounding the ballast member having a volume greater than the ballast member and a density less than pool water, the continuous floatable member comprising a plurality of longitudinally oriented solid sections, and connectors securing the solid sections end-to-end, each connector comprising a central flange with pins extending from the opposite sides thereof.
 2. A wave suppressing device for swimming pools constructed and arranged to float in the pool at the periphery thereof, the device comprising a continuous ballast member, and a continuous floatable member surrounding the ballast member having a volume greater than the ballast member and a density less than pool water, the continuous floatable member comprising a plurality of longitudinally oriented solid sections, and connectors securing the solid sections end-to-end, and the continuous ballast member comprising flexible tubing filled with water, and each solid section of the continuous floatable member including a longitudinally disposed internal passageway constructed and arranged to receive the flexible tubing of the continuous ballast member, and a longitudinal opening in the bottom of each solid section communicating with the internal passageway therein to facilitate insertion of the flexible tubing of the ballast member into the passageways of the solid sections.
 3. A wave suppressing device as in claim 2 in combination with a swimming pool with the wave suppressing device located at the periphery of the pool.
 4. A wave suppressing device as in claim 2 wherein the connectors each comprise a central flange with pins extending from the opposite sides thereof.
 5. A wave suppressing device for swimming pools constructed and arranged to float in the pool at the periphery thereof, the device comprising a continuous ballast member, and a continuous floatable member surrounding the ballast member having a volume greater than the ballast member and a density less than pool water, the continuous floatable member comprising flexible tubing filled with air and the continuous ballast member comprising flexible tubing filled with water, and connecting means for the continuous ballast and floatable members having a first conduit with a second conduit surrounding the first, the first conduit having clamping means at the opposite ends thereof for connecting the tubing of the continuous ballast member thereto, and the second conduit having clamping means at the opposite ends thereof for connecting the tubing of the continuous floatable member thereto, and filling spouts secured to the first and second conduits of the connecting means for charging the tubing of the ballast and floatable members.
 6. A wave suppressing device as in claim 5 in combination with a swimming pool with the wave suppressing device located at the periphery of the pool.
 7. A wave suppressing device as in claim 5 wherein the continuous floatable and ballast members have circular cross sections, the ballast member having a cross section smaller than the floatable member, and the members engaging one another. 